Valve constructions

ABSTRACT

I disclose, a valve construction comprising a body section, a handle member, means for rotatably and sealingly mounting said handle member on said body section, means for restraining said handle member against axial movement relative to said body section, a floating valve stem mounted within said body section for movement toward and away from a valve seat thereof, means for restraining said valve stem against rotation relative to said body section, and cooperative means on said handle and on said valve stem for translating rotary movement of said handle member into axial movement of said valve stem toward and away from said valve seat.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Harvey G. Skinner 3,123,337 3/1964 Peras l/347X Labrobe, Pa. 3,269,698 8/1966 Koch..... 251/267X [21] Appl. No. 741,363 3,367,626 2/1968 Stern 251/340 [22] Filed July 1, 1968 3,374,985 3/1968 Gessic 251/347X Patented Feb. 2, 1971 3,460,804 8/1969 Balon 251/340 [73] Assignee Primary Examiner-Samuel Scott W Attorney-Buell, Blenko and Ziesenheim [54] VALVE CONSTRPCTI-ONS ABSTRACT: I disclose a valve eonsti'ucition comprising a llCla|ms,5Draw|ngF|gs. 3 5.,

body section, a handle member, means for rotatably and [52] US. Cl 251/347 willingly mounting said handle member on said body section, [51] f- Cl Fmk 31/44 means for restraining said handle member against axial move- Field of Search 251/347, mem relative to said body section a floating valve Stem 346, 340, 341, 267, 350 mounted within said body section for movement toward and 56 R f Cted away from a valve seat thereof, means for restraining said l e erences l valve stem against rotation relative to said body section, and UNITED STATES PATENTS cooperative means on said handle and on said valve stem for 1,630,677 5/ 1927 Staley 25 l/347X translating rotary movement of said handle member into axial 2,458,809 1 1949 Twardowski 251/343X movement of said valve stem toward and awayfrom said valve 2,600,976 6/1952 Dalrymple 251/347 seat.

24 I 5A I 24 El 1 Z9 N 28 1? 1y VALVE CONSTRUCTIONS The present invention relates to throttling and related valves, and more particularly to valve constructions having an in-line configuration.

ln-line or flow-through-handle valves are known and are typified by Jacobson 3,l8l,555. Through the use of conventional stern mechanisms, however, these valves necessarily utilize an axially movable handle which, of course, interferes with the in-line connection. Similar in-line valves, with axially moving handles, have been disclosed in Sandretto 1,693,161 and Tobler 2,245,097.

On the other hand, Milner 1,585,163 and Moore 1,759,060 disclose axially movable valve elements which are moved toward and away from a valve seat by means of camming mechanisms. These examples are rather complex in construction, as valves go, and there is no disclosure of a floating valve element movable axially by rotation of a handle which is restrained against axial movement.

In addition to conduit interference, the use of an axially movable handle in an in-line valve construction renders the handle and related components and other rotative parts of the valve difiicult to seal in an acceptable manner. Furthermore, insofar as I am aware, the prior art has not provided a valve having a fitting for quick-attachment to a through-flow handle and rotatably sealed to the handle so that the handle can be turned when rigid conduits are secured to each end of the valve construction. Naturally, if one of the conduits is flexible, the handle fitting can be molded or otherwise formed integrally with the handle. The prior art has not heretofore furnished an in-line type valve of simplified but effective construction, and particularly one which can be readily provided with male or female fittings.

I overcome these disadvantages of the prior art by providing a valve construction, particularly of the in-line variety, wherein the valve handle is rotatably and sealingly mounted upon the body portion of the valve. For use with rigid conduit means, a handle fitting is rotatably mounted upon the valve handle. The valve handle desirably is restrained against axial movement relative to the valve body and to conduit means which may be coupled to the valve. An axially movable but nonrotatable valve element or stem is mounted within the body section. Means are secured to 'the handle and are extended therefrom into the interior of the body section for engagement with the valve element to effect axial movement thereof when the handle is turned. Male or female fittings, as desired, can be formed integrally with the body section and handle respectively for connection to external conduit means. Alternatively a male or female fitting can be rotatably and sealingly mounted upon the handle so that the handle can be rotated relative to both the body section and the external conduit means coupled to the handle.

I accomplish these desirable results by providing a valve construction comprising a body section, a handle member, means for rotatably and sealingly mounting said handle member on said body section, means for restraining said handle member against axial movement relative to said body section, a floating valve stem mounted within said body section for movement toward and away from a valve seat thereof, means for restraining said valve stem against rotation relative to said body section, and cooperative means on said handle and on said valve stem for translating rotary movement of said handle member into axial movement of said valve stem toward and away from said valve seat.

I also desirably provide a similar valve construction wherein said handle member is provided with a skirt portion closely fitted about said body section and said mounting means include an O-ring seated in groove means formed on at least one of said body section and said skirt.

I also desirably provide a similar valve construction wherein said handle member includes a closely fitting tubular extension inserted into said body section for stabilizing said section.

I also desirably provide a similar valve construction wherein a conduit means fitting is detachable from said handle member, and rotatively mounting and sealing means are formed on said conduit means fitting and on said handle member for quick-attaching said conduit means fitting to said handle member.

I also desirably provide a similar valve construction wherein a detachable external conduit means fitting is provided for said handle member, and means are provided for rotatably mounting said handle fitting within said tubular handle extension.

I also desirably provide a similar valve construction wherein washer seat surfaces are formed on said handle member and said body section at the base of the associated fitting, and a resilient washer is seated on each of said surfaces.

I also desirably provide, in a valve construction, the combination comprising a body section, a handle member, means for rotatably and sealingly mounting said handle member on said body section, a handle fitting, and means for rotatably and sealingly mounting said handle fitting on said handle member.

During the foregoing discussion, various objects, features and advantages of the invention have been set forth. These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention together with structural details thereof will be elaborated upon during the forthcoming description of certain presently preferred embodiments of the invention and presently preferred methods of practicing the same.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown certain presently preferred embodiments of the invention and have illustrated certain presently preferred methods of practicing the same, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one form of valve construction arranged in accordance with my invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the valve construction of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinally sectioned view of the valve construction as shown in FIG. 2 and taken along reference line III-III thereof;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the valve construction as shown in FIG. 3 and taken along reference line lV-IV thereof; and

FIG. 5 is a longitudinally sectioned view of another form of my novel valve construction according to the teachings of this invention.

With reference now to FIGS. l-4 of the drawings, an exemplary valve construction 10 shown therein comprises body section 12 on which handle 14 is rotatably mounted. In this example the body section 12 is provided with a male fitting l6 and a similar fitting 18 is likewise integrally molded or otherwise permanently secured to the handle 14.

As better shown in FIG, 2 the outer periphery of the handle 14 is of more or less conventional construction and is provided with finger recesses 20 to facilitate grasping thereof. The handle 14 as well as the body section 12, can be molded from a suitable plastic or from other structural materials conventionally used in valve constructions. The handle 14, however, is provided with a plurality of depending lugs 22 with each of the lugs 22 having an inwardly extending tab 24. In this example of my invention two pairs of such lugs 22 are employed with one pair of the lugs being disposed generally and diametrically opposite from the other pair of lugs. It will be understood that a greater or lesser number of lugs 22 can be employed.

As better shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 the lugs 22 are of sufficient resiliency (the lug length is dictated primarily by the choice of structural materials) to snap over an outwardly extending circumferential flange 26 formed on the outer surface of the body section 12. To facilitate the snap action of the lugs 22 and their tabs 24 the lower surfaces of the tabs 24, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 3 are chamferred at 28. When thus assembled, the handle 14 is rotatably mounted on the body flange 26. As the flange 26 is relatively closely fitted between the handle tabs 24 on one side and an inner peripheral shoulder 30 on the other, the handle 14 is restrained against axial movement relative to the body section 12 and hence to conduit means secured to the body section fitting l6 and to the handle fitting 18.

The rotative engagement between the handle 14 and the body section 12 is provided with a rotative seal. One form of such sealing means includes O-ring 32 or similar garter seal, which in this example is enclosed between cooperating grooves 34, 36 formed respectively and in juxtaposition upon the body section 12 and a relatively closely fitting handle skirt 70. It will be understood, of course, that the groove means 34- 36 can be formed entirely on one or the other of the body section 12 and handle 14. In the latter case a smaller O-ring 32 can be utilized if required. By use of the rotative sealing means 3236 the valve construction is completely sealed and enclosed without the usual packing gland or the like. Therefore it is not necessary to provide conventional sealing means for the floating valve stem or element 38, which is described in detail below.

Depending upon the type of conduit means (not shown) to be joined to the body and handle fitting 16, 18, sealing gaskets or washers 40, 42 can be provided. Desirably, body section 12 is provided with a circumferential shoulder 44 to provide a seat for the fitting washer 40. Similarly the handle 14 is provided with a flat surface 46 adjacent the base of the handle fitting 18 to seat the fitting washer 42.

As better shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 a floating valve element or stem 38 is mounted within the body section 12 for relative axial movement. The floating stem 38 is generally of tubular construction (FIG. 4) and is provided with one or more flow openings 48 through which fluid handled by the valve communicates between handle fitting 18 and valve seat 50 formed in this example within the body fitting 16. The valve stem 38 is restrained against rotative movement, for example by a pair of splines or keys 52 formed integrally therewith and seated in diametrically opposite longitudinal guideways 54 of the body section 12. The lower end of the valve stem 38 terminates in headed pin 56 to retain snap-on washer 58.

The valve handle 14 is further provided with a tubular extension 60 arranged to protrude within the body section 12 as better shown in FIG. 3. Desirably, the extension 60 is closely fitted within the body section 12 and thus can serve to stabilize the upper, otherwise open end portion 62 of the body section on which the O-ring 32 or equivalent sealing means are mounted. The handle extension 60 communicates with the handle fitting 18 on the one side and of course with the body section 12 on the other. In this example the extension 60 can be formed integrally with the handle 14 or otherwise secured thereto and is desirably furnished with an internal, left-handed thread 64.

Cooperating with the handle extension thread 64 is a lefthanded male fitting 66 formed integrally with or otherwise secured to the floating stem 38. With this arrangement rotation of the handle 14 effects axial displacement of the floating stem 38 toward and away from the valve seat 50. However, the valve handle 14 is not moved axially in the process, as noted previously. Although the handle extension 60 and the floating stem 38 can be provided with right-hand threads, the aforementioned left-hand threads are preferred so that the valve construction 10 is opened and closed respectively with customary counterclockwise and clockwise movements of the handle 14.

Desirably an inward, annular shoulder or stop 67 is formed integrally within the handle extension 60 to delimit translation of the floating valve stem 38 away from the valve seat 50 and to define the fully open condition of the valve. When the stop 67 is engaged by the valve stem, the handle no longer can be turned in the valve-opening direction, as the stem is restrained against rotation. Similarly the handle member 14 is positioned on the body section 12 by engagement of handle extension 60 with annular stop 65 within the body section.

It will be understood, as explained hereinafter in connection with FIG. 5 that the body flange 26 and handle lugs 22 can be omitted so that the handle 14, is rotatably mounted solely through the illustrated use of O-ring 32 or equivalent rotative sealing means. Likewise, the fixed handle fitting l8 can be reference characters with primed accents refer to similar com:

ponents of FIGS. l4, the valve construction 10' likewise includes a body section 12' and handle 14'. The handle 14 in this example is provided with a modified skirt 70 which is likewise closely fitted about the adjacent outer surfaces of body section 12'. The handle 14' is rotatively and sealingly mounted on the body section 12 by means'of O-ring 72 seated in groove means 74 cooperatively formed on the body section 12' and handle skirt 70'.

The handle 14' is likewise provided with a tubular extension 60' which can be closely fitted within the body section 12'. The handle fitting 60', however, is furnished with an upper unthreaded section 76 in order to receive a tubular extension 78 of the rotatively mounted handle fitting 68. The handle fitting 68 is rotatively mounted and sealed by means of O-ring 80 or similar sealing means mounted in this example in groove means 82 cooperatively formed on the tubular fitting extension 78 and the handle extension 70. Although the handle fitting 68 is shown with a certain angular disposition, it will be obvious that a straight fitting or one having a different angular disposition can be employed.

In this example, the body section 12 is provided with an external stabilizing skirt having a female thread and a substantially coaxial tubular extension 86 spaced inwardly thereof. In

A this example, valve seat 50 is formed upon the tubular body extension 86. When external conduit means 88 are joined to the body section 12' as shown in FIG. 5, the conduit means 88 are closely fitted into the skirt 84 and the tubular extension 86 is closely fitted into the conduit section for additional stabilization thereby.

It will be understood of course that the valve construction 10 of FIG. 5 can be provided instead with the permanent handle fitting 18 of FIGS. 14 or with the body section fitting 16 thereof. Likewise the female thread on skirt 84 can be supplied instead as a male thread on tubular extension 86, for engagement with a suitably threaded conduit section (not shown).

From the foregoing it will be apparent that novel and efficient forms of floating stem valve constructions have been described herein. While I have shown and described certain presently preferred embodiments of the invention and have illustrated presently preferred methods of practicing the same, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Iclaim:

l. A valve construction comprising a body section, a handle member, means for rotatably and sealingly mounting said handle member on'said body section, means for restraining said handle member against axial movement relative to said body section, a floating valve stem within said body section for movement toward and away from a valve seat thereof, means for restraining said valve stem against rotation relative to said body section, cooperative means on said handle and on said valve stem for translating rotary movement of said handle member into axial movement of said valve stem toward and away from said valve seat, and a conduit means fitting detachably joined to said handle member, and means including a rotating seal mechanism on said conduit means fitting and on said handle member for rotatably and sealingly and quick-detachably mounting said conduit means fitting on said handle member for rotation relative to said handle, whereby translation of handle-tuming motions to the conduit means is avoided.

2. A valve construction comprising a body section, a handle member, means for rotatably and sealingly mounting said handle member on said body section, means for restraining said handle member against axial movement relative to said body section. a floating valve stem mounted within said body section for movement toward and away from a valve seat thereof. means for restraining said valve stem against rotation relative to said body section, cooperative means on said handle and on said valve stem for translating rotary movement of said handle member into axial movement of said valve stem toward and away from said valve seat, said body section being provided with a stabilizing skirt and a tubular extension disposed substantially coaxially and spaced inwardly thereof to receive external conduit means therebetween, said valve seat being formed in the interior of said extension, and conduit engaging means formed on one of said skirt and said extension and juxtaposed to the space therebetween for engagement with complementary engaging means on said external conduit means.

3. A valve construction comprising a body section, a handle member, means for rotatably and sealingly mounting said handle member on said body section, means for restraining said handle member against axial movement relative to said body section, a floating valve stem mounted within said body section for movement toward and away from a valve seat thereof, means for restraining said valve stem against rotation relative to said body section, cooperative means on said handle and on said valve stem for translating rotary movement of said handle member into axial movement of said valve stem toward and away from said valve seat, said handle member including a tubular extension inserted and closely fitted into said body section for stabilizing said handle member relative to said body section, the inward end of said tubular extension engaging an inwardly extending annular stop in said body section to at least aid in positioning said handle member axially of said body section, a detachable external conduit means fitting for said handle member, and means for sealingly and rotatably mounting said detachable fitting within said tubular handle extension.

4. The combination according to claim 3 wherein said mounting means include an O-ring seated in groove means formed on at least one of said tubular extension and said detachable conduit means fitting.

and away from said valve seat, said handle restraining means including an outwardly extending peripheral flange formed on said body section and resilient axially extending lugs formed on said handle member for engagement with said flange.

6. The combination according to claim 5 wherein said lugs are provided with inwardly extending snap over tabs, said tabs being chamferred to provide camming surfaces to facilitate their snapping over said flange.

7. In a valve construction, the combination comprising a body section, a handle member, means for rotatably and sealingly mounting said handle member on said body portion, a conduit means fitting mounted solely on said handle member, and means including a rotating seal mechanism on said fitting and on said handle member for rotatably and sealingly mounting said handle fitting on said handle member for rotation relative to said handle member whereby translation of handle-turning motions to the conduit means is avoided and wherein said handle member is provided with a skirt portion closely fitted about said body section and said mounting means include an O-ring seated in groove means formed on at least one of said body section and said skirt.

8. The combination according to claim 7 wherein said handle member includes a stabilizing tubular extension protruding into said body section and communicating with said handle 9. %he combination according to claim 7 wherein said floating valve stem is at least partially extended into said tubular handle extension, and said cooperative translating means are formed only on said tubular handle extension and on said valve stem.

10. The combination according to claim 9 wherein an inwardly extending stop is formed on said tubular handle extension adjacent its cooperative translating means for engagement by said floating valve stem at a fully opened position thereof, said engagement being capable of delimiting the translation of said valve stem and the rotational movement of said handle member at said fully opened position.

11. In a valve construction, the combination comprising a body section, a handle member, means for rotatably and sealingly mounting said handle member on said body section, a handle fitting mounted solely on said handle member, and means for rotatably and sealingly and detachably mounting said handle fitting on said handle member, said handle member including a stabilizing tubular extension protruding closely into said body section, and said detachable handle fitting is so mounted within said stabilizing extension.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3, 559 ,952 Dated February 2 1971 Inventor(s) Harvey G kinner It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 4 line 29 after "skirt" insert 84 Signed and sealed this 15th day of June 1971 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER ,JR. WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, Attesting Officer Commissioner of Paten FORM PO-1050 (10 69) USCOMM-DC e0: 

1. A valve construction comprising a body section, a handle member, means for rotatably and sealingly mounting said handle member on said body section, means for restraining said handle member against axial movement relative to said body section, a floating valve stem within said body section for movement toward and away from a valve seat thereof, means for restraining said valve stem against rotation relative to said body section, cooperative means on said handle and on said valve stem for translating rotary movement of said handle member into axial movement of said valve stem toward and away from said valve seat, and a conduit means fitting detachably joined to said handle member, and means including a rotating seal mechanism on said conduit means fitting and on said handle member for rotatably and sealingly and quick-detachably mounting said conduit means fitting on said handle member for rotation relative to said handle, whereby translation of handle-turning motions to the conduit means is avoided.
 2. A valve construction comprising a body section, a handle member, means for rotatably and sealingly mounting said handle member on said body section, means for restraining said handle member against axial movement relative to said body section, a floating valve stem mounted within said body section for movement toward and away from a valve seat thereof, means for restraining said valve stem against rotation relative to said body section, cooperative means on said handle and on said valve stem for translating rotary movement of said handle member into axial movement of said valve stem toward and away from said valve seat, said body section being provided with a stabilizing skirt and a tubular extension disposed substantially coaxially and spaced inwardly thereof to receive external conduit means therebetween, said valve seat being formed in the interior of said extension, and conduit engaging means formed on one of said skirt and said extension and juxtaposed to the space therebetween for engagement with complementary engaging means on said external conduit means.
 3. A valve construction comprising a body section, a handle member, means for rotatably and sealingly mounting said handle member on said body section, means for restraining said handle member against axial movement relative to said body section, a floating valve stem mounted within said body section for movement toward and away from a valve seat thereof, means for restraining said valve stem against rotation relative to said body section, cooperative means on said handle and on said valve stem for translating rotary movement of said handle member into axial movement of said valve stem toward and away from said valve seat, said handle member including a tubular extension inserted and closely fitted into said body section for stabilizing said handle member relative to said body section, the inward end of said tubular extension engaging an inwardly extending annular stop in said body section to at least aid in positioning said handle member axially of said body section, a detachable external conduit means fitting for said handle member, and means for sealingly and rotatably mounting said detachable fitting within said tubular handle extension.
 4. The combination according to claim 3 wherein said mounting means include an O-ring seated in groove means formed on at least one of said tubular extension and said detachable conduit means fitting.
 5. A valve construction comprising a body section, a handle member, means for rotatably and sealingly mounting said handle member on said body section, means for restraining said handle member against axial movement relative to said body section, a floating valve stem mounted within said body section for movement toward and away from a valve seat thereof, means for restraining said valve stem against rotation relative to said body section, and cooperative means on said handle and on said valve stem for translating rotary movement of said handle member into axial movement of said valve stem toward and away from said valve seat, said handle restraining means including an outwardly extending peripheral flange formed on said body section and resilient axially extending lugs formed on said handle member for engagement with said flange.
 6. The combination according to claim 5 wherein said lugs are provided with inwardly extending snap over tabs, said tabs being chamferred to provide camming surfaces to facilitate their snapping over said flange.
 7. In a valve construction, the combination comprising a body section, a handle member, means for rotatably and sealingly mounting said handle member on said body portion, a conduit means fitting mounted solely on said handle member, and means including a rotating seal mechanism on said fitting and on said handle member for rotatably and sealingly mounting said handle fitting on said handle member for rotation relative to said handle member whereby translation of handle-turning motions to the conduit means is avoided and wherein said handle member is provided with a skirt portion closely fitted about said body section and said mounting means include an O-ring seated in groove means formed on at least one of said body section and said skirt.
 8. The combination according to claim 7 wherein said handle member includes a stabilizing tubular extension protruding into said body section and communicating with said handle fitting.
 9. The combination according to claim 7 wherein said floating valve stem is at least partially extended into said tubular handle extension, and said cooperative translating means are formed only on said tubular handle extension and on said valve stem.
 10. The combination according to claim 9 wherein an inwardly extending stop is formed on said tubular handle extension adjacent its cooperative translating means for engagement by said floating valve stem at a fully opened position thereof, said engagement being capable of delimiting the translation of said valve stem and the rotational movement of said handle member at said fully opened position.
 11. In a valve construction, the combination comprising a body section, a handle member, means for rotatably and sealingly mounting said handle member on said body section, a handle fitting mounted solely on said handle member, and means for rotatably and sealingly and detachably mounting said handle fitting on said handle member, said handle member including a stabilizing tubular extension protruding closely into said body section, and said detachable handle fitting is so mounted within said stabilizing extension. 